Howard l



H. L. FISCHER. PENCIL. ANLICATEON men DEC.II.191B.

Patented June 21, 1921.

PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD L. FISCHER OF ST PAUL. MINNESOTA.

' PENCIL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 21, 1921'.

Application filed December 17, 1918. Serial No. 267,205.

To a]! ir/wmit may I. HOWARD L. IISCHER,

lie it known that a citizen of the l nitcd States. v

laul. in the county of Ramsey and State or .llinncsota. have invented a new and useful improvement in Pencils. of which the {odor-ring is a specification.

I l invention relates to an improvement in pencils. the primary object of which is to hold a stick ma rking lead or medium in position for writing in a pencil so that it can hc ejected a step at. a time out of the barrel, the means for holding the lead in writing. position heing; adapted to practically inclose all hut the marking end. which proje ts from the pencil harrel. of the lead to protect the same against accidentally loeingl, hrokcn. the holding means being rcmovahle with lhe ejecting mechanism from the pencil or harrcl so that the holding means can hc easily separated from the ejecting mechanism and refilled with a new marking lead, whereupon the lead holding means and ejecting means are put together and reinserted into the pencil harrel. It is a highly essential feature of this invention to have a. holding. means for the lead which is held in writing position removable from the pencil casing in a pencil of this construction. primarily for the reason that should the pencil he droppcd upon the projecting marking point. the lead might he crushed in the hold inc means and jammed so tightly therein that it would he practically impossible for the ejecting: means of the pencil to force the iammcd lead out of the holding means so as to allow a new marking lead to he inserted therein. My invention provides a holding means which. being easily removed. can he readilv cleaned of any crushed lead. or a new ioldingz means can he readily and quickly attached to the eiectingincans and inserted. with the ejcfiing means. into the pcncil raising. read for use. This construction adds to the commercial value of my WW so as to provide a pencil with parts i hich can he asily replaced at a small cost. is nec ssary. still using the same barrel The parts of my pen il are madeto he readily intcrchangeahle from to the other.

' notion of my pencil is such that; ivz'if can he ejected a short dis i e harrcl of the pencil. when use. and easily and quickly residing at.

pushed back into the pencil harrcl and lead holding means for the purpose oi' economy and for protecting the markiilgcu-l of the lead against hcing: accidcntallv broken oil while the pencil is carried in the pocket. or otherwise.

My lead holding. means and pencil are particularly adapted to the use oi a marking lead of a very small diameter. which does not? require sharpcnin and is only ejected a "Very short distance at a time from the writing end of the pencil.

A further ohjcct of my invention is in a pencil having means for holdin; the e ecting and lead holdin means collectively rcmovahlc from the harrcl or casing. of the pencil. with means on the ejecting mechanism for engaging against a shoulder formed near the rear end of the pencil casing or barrel. to hold thecicctiun. mechanism and lead holding means at a set p i|sition in the pencil casing while a h ad or cap. for the pencil. compresses a portion of the ejecting mechanism to hold the same in the pencil casing under sprin; tension at all times when the cap is in placc. This construction gives a pencil in which the pencil casing or harrel has no houlders or ohstructions in its forward end near the conical portion which nliglht he. liable to collect. and hold any little particles of the marking: lcad which might accidentally he hrokcn oil from the lead in writing po' ion. and remain in the pencil casing or harrel when the ejecting mechanism taken out. ()n the other hand. this construction gives a pencil casing which is hollowx with a smooth contour from the conical forward end to the rear of the porn cil. and on lead particles of the marking lead which might collect in the iorwa rd cud during: the use of the pencil. o accidental hrcaking of the l-ad. will easily drop out of the pencil (tlSlllJ whcn thc ejecting Incch anism i removed. The apex of the pcncil harrel has an opening of practicalli the same diametcl' as .the marking lead to he used thercin. thus the lead is held against lateral movemcnt when it projects through the apex of thc pcncil. and for this reason, it is highly important not to have. any shoulders or proiections in the pencil casing to collect any tinc particles which might hrcak oil from the lead. as these particles have a tendency to log; the small opening: in the ape): of the pencil casing if they remain in In the drawing forlfuing part of this specification Figure 1 is alongitudinal cross section of my encil.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the body portion of the barrel or casing.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the leadholding and ejecting means removedfrom the pencil casing or barrel.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of a detail of an alternative construction of Ice ing means.

Fig. 5 is an illustration of the position in which the ejecting mechanism is held and operated to reset the ejectingl rod.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of t e lead holding means, illustrating the manner in which a new lead is dropped into place in the same.

Fi 7 is a cross sectional view on the line 7"? *ig. 1. v

In the drawing, the pencil A has a barrel 2 of thin tubing, with a conical forward end 3, the apex 4 of whichis formed with a small opening 5 which is practically the same diameter as the marking lead 6.

A ratchet ejecting medhanlsm B is adapted to eject the markin lead 6 a step at a time through the opening 5 in the pencil casing 2. The ejecting mechanism is com posed of a tooth rack 7 which is slidahly ield in a longitudinally extending groove 8 formed in the tubular casing 9, which is adapted to inclose the ratchet mechanism. A spring finger 10, which is formed integrnl with the rack 7, is adapted to engage the inner surface of the housing 9, to hold the rack 7 in a set position in the housing. A spring 12 of the rack 7 to operate the rack in a forward direction, and the pawl lids rigidly secured at 13 to the tubular pusher rod 14. The forward end of the tubular pusher rod has an enlarged head 15 formed thereon, which is slidably positioned in the rear emf of the housing 9, and a coil spring 16 is interposed between the losed end of the head if and a Washer 17, which is held in position in the housing 9 by means of the engaging fingers or stops 18, the pawl i1 is freely sliduble through the washer 17.

,The coil spring 16 isadapted to hold the head 15 of the tubular pusher rod 14 against the inturned edge or shoulder 19 formed ,on

the rear end of the housing 9, so as to hold.

the pawl 11 in backward position and hold the tubular pusher rod in backward position, under spring tension in the housing 9.

The outer or free end of the tubular.

pusher rod i4 is closed by a cap 20, having an annular shoulder 21 which is engaged h the annular inwardly projecting edge 22 o the pencil head or cap 23 to hold the gortion pawl 11 is adapted to engage the teeth eeeting mechanism in the pencil casing 2-, t he ca 23 is adapted to enga e the thread- 0 ion 24 in the rear en urged end 24 of t "e pencil casing.

An annular pro ecting shdulder Ql'ijis' formed on the rear end of the casing or housing 9, and engages the shoulder 26 formed in the rear end of the pencil casing .2, in the formation of the enlarged end 24,

so that when the ejecting mechanism B, with its inclosing housin 9 is inserted'in the pencil casin 2, the s oulder 25 will engage against t e shoulder 26 and the cap 23 will force the pusher rod 14 inward against the spring 16, slightly compressing the smile, thereby holding the pusher rod 14, the housing 9 and the ejecting mechanism B in the pencil barrel 2 under the tension of the spring 16 to prevent rattling or free movement of the same in the casing.

The hollow pusher rod 14 forms a magezine for extra marking leads, such as 6, to be conveniently carried in the pencil. The marking leads can he removed trom tho tn bular pusher rod 1.4 by removing'the cap 20. 1

The ratchet mechanism B is operated by depressing the cap 20, which rejects out of the pencil'head 23. When he cap or but ton 20 is depressed, the spring 16 is rompressed, and the pawl 11 is pushed in a for ward directionto push the rack 7 'l fil'WflP-i, and when the button or cap 20 is roll-nerd. the spring 16 automatically moves the pa u l 11 in a backward direction, together with the pusher rod 14, to reset the same, while the spring finger lO will hold therack 3' i pushed forward position, allowing the pawl. 11 to spring back .over one of; the teeth 1:. of the ratchet, to engage a newtooth in po sition to again be pushed forward to operate the rack in a forward direction.

An ejecting rod 27, having one end rigid iy fixed in the socket 28 on the rack 7, am tin free end freely slidable in the lead llilllllll tube 29, is adapted to eject the marking loan 6 out of the lead hold-in tube 29 am. through the opening 5 in tie apex of 21w conical end 3, when the ratchet mechanism is o erated. Thefree end ofthe ejecting rmi 21 forms an abutment for the rear end of th marking lead 6.

The tubular lead holding means 29 is formed with a conical rear portion 30 from which pro'eots a cylindrical portion 31 which is a opted to fit in the forward end. of th housing 9, either by friction or in any other suitable manner, so as to hold the lead holdin means 29 in position on the forward cm of the housing 9. Shoulders 32 formed in the housing 9, prevent the cylindrical portion 31 of the lead holding means 29 from entering too far into the housing 9. The forward end 33 of the tubular holding means 29 is constriclod in iii.

l I is marking lead 6, which is inserted in the tubular holding means 29, under spring tens ca to hold the same in position against il 'l ljlllt'll in the forward end of the means 21%. The rear portion of wllll; tulle or means enlarged so th marking had may be freely zll' ijigwi iil o the tubula holding means 29, is illu rated in W i}, The reduced end m the oolding means g ierents the marking hurl from dropping irccly through the tubular portion 29. It is essential, how: ever. that the cylindrical portion 31 of the holding means 29 engages the housing 9 hi iicicnt friction, or otherwise, to follow with, or be drawn out from riwil casing 2 when the ejectinp mech- 1 with its housing, isremoyed from tail lcrrcl,

'iillt!l!llll,i' construction of the lead illustrat d in Fig. 4, illusll iiuc" tulle a a spherical portion Hal formed on the "ell cud of the conical portion 30, which em! to engage in a similarly formed mil cud portion formed on the Y i so as to allow the lead holding to he swivelly held in the forml cal-ll of the tubular housing 9. This vwii-irnctiou is adapted to allow for any mirislimlfs in the pencil casing 2, and allows od 3 to Freely position the conn-n-c. cad 353 of the lead holding means z the pencil casing, to axially position kin means 29 and the marking lead i hrl l in. the holding means 29, .n; g; etition. ho ding mcans Q9 practically incloses lu' Milli p rtion oi the n'nirk'i'ng lead 6, the wilt ortion of which is exposed is the w 1. l which projects through the axial opcn cg n the :aprx oi the conical portion in this manner, the body portion of the cr tic-g lead (3 is protected at all times in the pencil. still the holding is rcmm'ahlc .vitlrtl'ie ejecting nz m so that it can he easily tilled, as mtcd in Fig. 6, or should any of the aim r 1 11 martin had be crushed in the holdJr '29 Lat! is highly importantin the rut operation at a pencil of this I? important that the conmn? lift of thc holding member 29 -l by the conical portion 3 and C the pencil casing. rhns preventway through the holding; member 29, allow- =c :icllcil is again ready for use.

ing any damage by dropping and bending, or otherwise mjurin the constrictedend 33. In this construction, the holding member 29 remains in a set position when in the pencil casing 2.

The lacing of the shoulder 25 on the casingor ousing 9 at the rear of the'same so as to engage the shoulder 26, allows the pencil casin 2 to be formed with a smooth inner cylin rical surface 36, which joins the smooth inner conical surface 37 in the conical end 3, 'ving a smooth inner surface from the shou der 26 to the axial opening 5 in the apex of the conicalportion 3. This construction prevents any articles of lead which may break off from t e markin lead from being caught and held in the .arrel portion 2, which would tend to clog the opening 5 and prevent the successful operation of the pencil.

In the operation of the pencil A, as the marking lead 6 is used up, or the projecting portion Wears down in use, the lead is ejected by depressing the button or cup 20, operating the ejecting mechanism B to push the ejector rod 27 forward. Should it be desired to push the projecting portion of the mark-- 'ing lead back into the pencil A, it is only necessary to depress the cap or button 20 as far as possible, which forces the pawl 11 into engagement with the releasing shoulder 38 formed in the housing 9, depressing the forward end of the pawl 11 free of the teeth 12, and allowing the marking lead 6 to be freely pushed backward into the pencil A, also forcing the ejecting mechanism in backward position in the casing 9. As the marking lead in the holding member 29 is used up, the ejector rod 27 will extend into the tubular portion of the member 29 and eventually extend entirely through the holding member 29 to completely eject the lead 6. It is evident, however, that the rod 27 canlie made shorter and project only part in; a new lead to be inserted and causing the if'emaiuder of the old lead to he ejected from the holding member. When it is desired to refill or place a new marking lead in writing position in the pencil A, the cap 23 is unscrewed illll'lI'fiIllOVtd, allowing the ejecting mechanism to be pollectively re-' moved, together with the lead holding means 29. The holding means 29 is then removed from the housing 9 and the ejeztor rod 27 set into backward position by holding the housing 9 in the fingers. as illustrated in Fig. 5', depressing the, tubular pusher rod 14 by pressing "on the cap 20 with the index finger, thus releasing the pawl 11 from the teeth of the' rack, and allou i the ejector rod 27 to'be freely pushed back into the housing 9. A new marking lead is then taken from the hollow pusher rod 14 and dropped into place in the holding means 29, as illustrated in Fig. 6, whereupon the holding means 29 is placed in position on the forward end of the housing 9, and the holding means, together with the ejecting mechanism, again reinserted into the pencil casing. replacing the cap 23 which holds the mechanism in place in the .pencil barrel The pencil is then again ready for use.

In accordance with the patent statutes, 1 have described the principles of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the construction shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those above set forth within the scope of the following claims:

1. In a pencil having a thin tubular bar-- rel, an ejecting means collectively and re niovably held in said barrel, a removable cap for holding said ejecting means in said barrel and means for holding a marking lead in writing position so that its marking end can be projected out of the apex of said pencil barrel, said lead holding means being firmly held to said ejecting mechanism so as to be removed therewith when said eject ing mechanism is removed: from said barrel. and said holding means being separable from said ejecting mechanism when the same is removed from said pencil barrel. whereby a new marking lead can be inserted 1' rccly into said lead holding means, and said lead holding, means can he again attached to said ejecting mechanism and reinserted in operating position in said pencil barrel.

2. In a pencil, a barrel or casing. a lead holding means for holding a marking lead in writing position, in said barrel. said lead holding means being entirely incloscd in the forward end of said pencil. an ejecting; mechanism held collectively removable from said pencil casing or barrel. said lead hold ing' means being detachably held to said ejecting mechanism and means for holdin said lead in said lead holding means against free longitudinal movement in said holding means.

3. In a pencil having a hollow barrel, an ejecting mechanism, a head for holding said ejecting mechanism in place in said barrel, a tubular lead holding means for holding a marking lead in writing position, means for engaging said lead holding mcans so that it is removable collectively with said ejecting means to allow said lead holdin; means to be refilled and said ejecting lnlllllil. nism to be reset and again collectively rein serted in said pencil barrel. v

4. In a pencilof the class described, a tubular barrel, an ejecting means, a tubular lead holding means for hoidinig a marking lead in Writing position, means for holding; said lead holding means collect vcly removmsitioningg of said able and means to tg rjdrrisag means posili. new! war t "-cs cil to form a stop a, she

ward positioning of said in said pencil, is. L ejecting means vand a E'GEIEU for said pen il "will a ejecting me hanism again t shoulder under the tcnsi ejecting nawnamssn V in said o l stop or i. [isle-id means, the positionin in" said t p r on! s dcr leaving lhe forward e d p m-i barrel lear of any filial vviih ll smooth contour from said to the apex of said p ncil barrel for lie purposes specified. i

5. in a 'pcnril o tubular barrel barn n an opening in ih apex r approximate v the same the cross se tion of a, we; said pen il, an ejeviii own ing mean rci'novablc with means and a shoulder posit of said pencil barrel for hm 1 rig 1-: 5 ring lliii i i pencil barrel, so pencil barre! liav smooth contour iron; said stop or show at the rear oi: said pen rrri to said spew ing in the aoi am a purposes s ii. in n tubular in: ra an opening i l t. Sljll oi" said (an: an ejecting: insane. meals {or in h ejccting means to hold ihc saline; movable l'r ni said pom-ll arrel. :1 lead holdimg; means for holdi ,1 lead in wr by ositio t jrg means for li turhaiil' liollllii g nil-zine in .i means. .1 inln ar said incl-wing lltl'iillta, .nt means holding said tu ular gmsln-r rod ward position. a E H2}; lhc end oi said pi for said pen il l gunmen rod through which 1: d pai ed to extend and a barrel and on said cf 'lidcj near the; re ax-o1" said pencil in: is: inward posihoning of said ejecting means in said pen il barrel. r id r movable p niil head or rip holding; in posiiion to hold r a said conic an opening in the apes an vim-inn closing rod, for operating sanr for said. pusher rod, a cap for said Pt .i for holding said ejecting means in position in said pencil barrel, an opening formed through said pencil cap through which the (rap of said pusher rod is adapted to extend, resilient means for holding said tubular pusher rod with its cap projecting; through the opening in said pencil head, a tubular h-ad lndillilg means for holding a marking lead in a ritini position, means in said tubular lead holding means for holding said lead against free longitudinal movement therein, means for swivell and detaohably eonnec ing said lead holding means with said tubular ejecting mechanism inclosing means and releasing means formed in said tubular ejectin; mechanism inelosing means for releesin; the ejecting mechanism inclosed therein to allow the marking lead or the ejecting mui-hanism to he moved backward in said tubular inclosing means for said ejecting mechanism.

8. In a pencil having a barrel; a lead eject in; means, means for collectively and removahly holding said ejecting means in said means r-an be barrel, a tubular lead holding means eonneeted with said aim-ting means and means for swivelly and detaohably vonneeling said tubular lead holding means to said ejeeting mechanism int-losing means. said swiy'el means allowing said tubular lend holding means to be freely guided and positioned axially in the forward end of said pencil barrel.

9. In a enoil 0f the (-lass described, a barrel, a lead ejecting means adapted to be inclosed and removably. held in said barrel. a tubular lead holding means for holding; a marking lead axially in the forward end of said pencil, means in said lead holding means for holding the lead contained therein against free longitudinal movement and means connecting said lead holding means with said ejecting means, whereby said lead holding axially in the forward. end of said pencil liarrel when the ejecting means andlead holdiing means are reinserted in the barrel, after they have been removed.

HOWARD L. FISCHER.

freely guided and positioned 

